[transitive,intransitive]to move or to make something move with a sudden short sharp movementjerk something (+ adv./prep.)He jerked the phone away from her.She jerked her head up.+ adv./prep.The bus jerked to a halt.He grabbed a handful of hair and jerked at it.jerk something + adj.She got to the door and jerked it open.Word Originmid 16th cent. (denoting a stroke with a whip): probably imitative.Extra examplesHe jerked the door open.His head jerked up.She jerked her hand back instinctively.She suddenly jerked her hand away.The bus jerked to a stop.The train stopped and she jerked awake.She grabbed his hand and jerked him back from the kerb.Phrasal Verbsjerk somebody aroundjerk offjerk out